Master Automatic, Inc.

What Master Automatic, Inc. does

Master Automatic, Inc., founded in 1945 and headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, is a precision metal forming manufacturer now operating as MacLean Master within the MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions (MFCS) Engineered Solutions Group following a 2018 merger. The company builds engineered products across three integrated fields: cold-formed fasteners and powertrain components, hot-forged industrial nuts and spindle fasteners, and engineered functional plastics including insert-molded parts. Proprietary process know-how includes Maynard Lockthread bolt and stud technology and MacLite3 lightweight fastener designs targeted at automotive lightweighting programs. The business serves automotive OEMs (with General Motors naming the company Supplier of the Year in 2018), heavy-duty truck manufacturers, industrial equipment, military and defense, agricultural, and off-highway customers. Revenue is generated almost exclusively through direct B2B sales to OEM and Tier 1 manufacturers under multi-year supply contracts at quote-based pricing, with no retail or e-commerce presence. The Plymouth operation is one node within the parent's broader network of US, Mexican, European manufacturing facilities and Asian support offices, supporting the MFCS group's roughly $900 million consolidated annual revenue base. The company has begun extending beyond its OEM-only model, launching the Threadstrong aftermarket wheel fastener brand in 2024 to access downstream distribution channels.

Name

Master Automatic, Inc.

Legal name

Master Automatic, Inc.

Website

https://masterautomatic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Master Automatic, Inc., now operating as MacLean Master, is a precision metal forming manufacturer producing cold-formed and hot-forged fasteners, engineered components, and engineered plastics for automotive OEM, heavy-duty truck, industrial, military, and off-highway equipment customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mundelein

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fastener Components Sales: Sale of fastener components including capped wheel nuts, lock nuts, axle fasteners, and specialty fasteners for automotive, heavy-duty truck, and industrial applications. Revenue is generated through direct sales to OEM manufacturers.
2. Engineered Components Sales: Sale of engineered components including cold formed parts, hot forged parts, bearing races, driveline hubs, and powertrain components. Generated through enterprise direct sales relationships.
3. Engineered Plastics Sales: Sale of functional engineered plastics, insert molded products, and plastic solutions for automotive and industrial use.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Master Automatic, Inc., now operating as MacLean Master within MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions, is a precision manufacturer of fastener components, engineered components, and engineered plastics. The company produces cold formed and hot forged fasteners (wheel nuts, lock nuts, axle fasteners, specialty fasteners), cold formed powertrain components (piston pins, bearing races, driveline hubs), and functional engineered plastics including insert molded products. Output serves automotive, heavy-duty truck, industrial, defense, agricultural, and off-highway OEM customers.

Product overview

Master Automatic, now operating as MacLean Master within the MFCS Engineered Solutions Group, offers precision manufacturing solutions across three core product fields: Fastener Components, Engineered Components, and Engineered Plastics. Following its merger with MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions, the company provides an integrated portfolio including cold-formed and hot-forged fasteners, precision-machined components, and engineered functional plastics serving automotive, heavy-duty truck, industrial, and defense sectors. Key products include MacLite3 lightweight fasteners, axle fasteners (Axilok), wheel nuts (Securex), suspension components (PogoStik), and Decorex capped wheel fasteners. The company operates production facilities in Michigan, Illinois, and across Europe with global support locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MacLite3 Lightweight fastener solution designed to reduce weight in automotive applications, with engineering support provided to help customers reduce excess weight.
• Threadstrong Aftermarket wheel fastener brand launched as part of the company's expanded aftermarket wheel fastener offerings.
• Decorex Capped Wheel Fasteners Capped wheel fasteners (stainless steel and black versions) used in automotive wheel applications.
• Axilok Unitized Wheel Bearing Nut Unitized wheel bearing nut for heavy-duty truck applications.
• Securex Two Piece Wheel Nut Two piece wheel nut for heavy-duty truck applications.
• PogoStik Stabilizer Linkages Stabilizer linkages for automotive suspension applications.
• Maynard Lockthread Bolts and Studs Maynard Lockthread bolt and stud technology with improved locking performance for high-temperature and demanding applications.
• Functional Engineered Plastics Functional engineered plastics and insert molded products serving automotive and industrial applications including weight reduction, cost efficiency, and design flexibility requirements.
• Cold Formed Powertrain Components Cold formed automotive powertrain components including piston pins, bearing races, driveline hubs, cam lobes, and gear blanks produced through precision cold forming.
• Hot Forged Spindle Nuts and Fasteners Hot forged spindle nuts and large industrial nuts for heavy-duty and industrial applications requiring durability under extreme loads.

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• MacLean-Fogg Component SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaster Automatic has merged into MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions (MFCS) Engineered Solutions Group. Now operating as MacLean Master under the MFCS umbrella. This merger combines Master Automatic's precision manufacturing capabilities with MFCS's broader fastener and engineered component portfolio.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Würth: German global leader in fastener distribution and manufacturing serving automotive, industrial, and construction markets. Comparable in fastener products but operates primarily as a broad-line industrial fastener incumbent rather than a niche automotive specialist.
• Illinois Tool Works (ITW): Diversified industrial conglomerate with significant automotive fastener and components operations among many other businesses. Comparable on automotive fastener manufacturing but operates as a broad incumbent rather than a focused fastener specialist.

Direct peers

• Nedschroef: Dutch-headquartered specialist in cold-formed automotive fasteners serving global OEMs. Closely comparable to Master Automatic in core product category (cold formed fasteners for automotive and heavy-duty truck) and customer base.
• Fontana Gruppo: Italian fastener manufacturer serving automotive and industrial customers with cold-formed and engineered fastener products. Comparable to Master Automatic on automotive fastener manufacturing and European OEM customer exposure.
• Bossard Group: Swiss fastener specialist combining manufacturing with logistics and engineering services for industrial and automotive customers. Comparable on fastener manufacturing capability and B2B distribution model.
• Bulten AB: Swedish automotive fastener specialist supplying screws, nuts, and engineered fasteners to European and global OEMs. Directly comparable on product (specialty fasteners) and customer profile (automotive OEMs including heavy-duty truck).
• TR Fastenings: UK-based specialist manufacturer and distributor of fasteners and engineered components for automotive and industrial OEMs. Closely comparable on product portfolio and customer base.
• ARaymond: French automotive fastener and assembly specialist with strong OEM relationships in Europe. Directly comparable on fastener and insert-molded engineered components for automotive applications.
• LISI Group: French manufacturer of fasteners and engineered components for automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. Directly comparable to Master Automatic across both fastener manufacturing and engineered mechanical components serving automotive OEMs.
• SFS Group: Swiss manufacturer of precision fasteners, engineered components, and assembly systems serving automotive and industrial markets. Directly comparable on cold-formed fasteners and engineered component manufacturing for OEM customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/macleanfoggcs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/master-automatic-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Master Automatic, Inc.